Obedience: situational variables

• Obedience: situational variables

  Proximity

  When teacher and learner were in the same room, obedience levels dropped from 65% to 40%. When teacher placed learner's hand onto a force plate for electric shock it was 30%. Obedience levels are lower when in a closer proximity to learner.

  Experimenter giving orders over phone= 20.5%. Obedience levels are lower the further the proximity to experimenter
• Obedience: situational variables 2

  Location

  Ran experiment from a run-down office rather than prestigious Yale university. Obedience levels dropped to 47.5% as the experimenter had less authority in this situation.
• Obedience: situational variables 3

  Uniform

  Uniforms indicates legitimacy of the authority figure's position of power and makes it more likely we will obey (white lab coat). When experimenter was replaced by confederate wearing civilian clothes, obedience rate dropped to 20%.
• Obedience: situational variables- evaluation

  Supported by research. In a field experiment in NYC, Bickman (1974) had 3 confederates dressed in 3 diff outfits: Jacket and tie, milkman's outfit and security guard's uniform. Asked passers-by to perform tasks (e.g., picking up litter). Twice as likely to obey security guard uniform than jacket and tie. Supports Milgram's conclusion that uniform conveys authority of its wearer and is a situational factor likely to produce obedience.
• Obedience: situational variables- evaluation 2

  Lack of internal validity. Even Milgram realised that the situation where the experimenter was replaced by a member of the public was so contrived that some ppts may well have worked out the truth. Limitation as reduces validity of results.
• Obedience: situational variables- evaluation 3

  Findings have been replicated in other cultures. Miranda et al (1981) found over 90% obedience rate amongst Spanish students, meaning conclusions are not limited to American males. However, Smith and Bond (1998) pointed out that most replications have taken place in Western, developed societies (Spain and Australia) which are culturally not that different from the USA, so it would be premature to conclude that Milgram's studies into proximity, location and uniform apply to people everywhere.